Liquid dispensing nozzle of the automatic shut-off type

ABSTRACT

An automatic shut-off nozzle has a single diaphragm responsive to either the vapor pressure in the tank which is being filled exceeding a predetermined pressure or the liquid in the tank reaching a predetermined level. When the liquid in the tank reaches the predetermined level, the diaphragm moves in one direction to cause closing of a manually operated valve which stops flow through the nozzle through a connecting mechanism. When the pressure in the tank exceeds a predetermined pressure, the diaphragm moves in the opposite direction, but the connecting mechanism has transfer links to cause the valve to again be closed even though the diaphragm moves in the opposite direction.

United States Patent [1 1 Lasater et al. I

[111 3,823,752 [451 July 16, 1974 1 LIQUID DISPENSING NOZZLE OF THEAUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF TYPE lnventors: Donald A. Lasater, Cincinnati;

Chester W. Wood, Milford, both of Ohio Assignee: Dover Corporation, NewYork, N.Y.

Filed: Dec. 26, 1972 Appl. No.: 318,237

US Cl 141/217, 141/225, 141/226 Int. Cl B65b 3/26, B65b 57/14, B670 3/00Field-of Search 141/208, 209, 225, 226,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1963 Gearhart et a1 141/2269/1971 Belue 141/208- 3/1973 Murrey ..141/226 Primary ExaminerL0uis R.Prince Assistant Examiner-Steven L. Stephan Attorney, Agent, or FirmJohnG. Schenk [57] ABSTRACT An automatic shut-off nozzle has a singlediaphragm responsive to either the vapor pressure in the tank which isbeing filled exceeding-a predetermined pressure or the liquid in thetank reaching a predetermined level. When the liquid in the tank reachesthe predetermined level, the diaphragm moves in one direction to causeclosing of a manually operated valve which stops flow through the nozzlethrough a connecting mechanism. When the pressure in the tank exceeds apredetermined pressure, the diaphragm moves in the opposite direction,but the connecting mechanism has transfer links to cause the valve toagain be closed even though the diaphragm moves in the oppositedirection.

' 9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEBJUL 1 61974 snmwz TQE LIQUIDDISPENSING NOZZLE OF THE AUTOMATIC SHUT-OFF TYPE When filling a vehicletank with gasoline through a dispensing nozzle, vapors from the gasolinewithin the tank can be prevented from escaping through the opening inwhich the spout of the nozzle is inserted by sealing the opening. Thus,the escape of the gasoline vapors into the atmosphere is prevented sothat pollution of the atmosphere is decreased. The vapors within thetank can be recovered through vapor recovery equipment utilized inconjunction with the nozzle.

However, the sealing of the vehicle tank to insure that the vapors ofthe gasoline being supplied thereto do not escape into the atmospheremakes it necessary that the pressure within the tank not exceed a safevalue. While the vapor recovery system of the nozzle normally preventsthe pressure within the tank exceeding the safe value, the possibilityexists that there could be a blockage in the vapor recovery passages inthe nozzle or in the passages in the vapor recovery equipment, whichcondenses the vapor to a liquid form, connected to the nozzle vaporrecovery passages. If this blockage should occur, the pressure in thetank could exceed'a safe value whereby the tank could rupture.

The present invention satisfactorily solves this problem byautomatically stopping the flow of gasoline through the spout to thevehicle tank when the pressure within the vehicle tank which is beingfilled exceeds a predetermined pressure. Thus, the present inventionenables a tank to be sealed during filling without danger of rupture. I

Additionally, the mechanism of the present invention enables automaticshut-off of the flow of gasoline to also occur when the liquid in thetank reaches a predetermined level. With the tank being sealed, there isno way in which the operator of the nozzle could ascertain that the tankwas filled so that automatic shut-off of the flow of gasoline to thetank when the tank reaches a predetermined level is a requisite.

With the present invention, only a single passage is necessarybetweenthe tank, which is being filled, and a single sensing diaphragm to senseeither of the conditions (pressure or liquid level) existing in thetank. Additionally, even though the single diaphragm moves in oppositedirections depending upon whether the vapor pressure in the tank exceedsthe predetermined pressure or the liquid in the tank reaches thepredetermined level, the release means for automatically closing themanually operated valve is always moved in the same direction.

An object of this invention is to provide an automatic shut off nozzlefor automatically stopping flow of liquid to a tank which isbeing-filled when the pressure in the tank exceeds a predeterminedpressure or the liquid in the tank reaches a predetermined level.

Another object of this invention is to provide an automatic shut-offnozzle having a single diaphragm responsive to either of two conditionsin a tank which is being filled.

A further object of this invention is to provide a unique connectinglinkage for stopping flow through an automatic shut-off nozzle having asingle diaphragm movable in opposite directions in response to differentconditions in a tank which is being filled.

Other objects, uses, and advantages of this invention are apparent upona reading of this description, which proceeds with reference to thedrawings forming part thereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view, partly 'in elevation, of a portion of theautomatic shut-off nozzle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, of the remainder of thenozzle of FIG. 1 and showing its spout entering the filler pipe of avehicle tank.

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the nozzle of FIG. 1 and takenalong line 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan view, partly in section, of a portionof the connecting linkage of the present invention and taken along line4-4 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing the relation between thesensing diaphragm, the connecting linkage, and the latch retaining pin.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, there is shown anozzle body 10 having an inlet 11 to which a hose is connected to supplyliquid such as gasoline, for example,-to the interior of the body 10.The

body 10 has an outlet 12 with which a spout l4 comm unicates to receiveliquid from theinterior of the body 10. The spout 14 is adapted to beinserted within an opening 15 (see FIG. 2) in a filler pipe 16 of avehicle tank such as an automobile fuel tank, for example.

The body 10 has a first or main poppet valve 17 (see FIG, 1) supportedtherein for controlling the flow of liquid from the inlet 11 to theinterior of the body 10 and from the interior of the body 10 to theoutlet 12. A spring 18 continuously urges the poppet valve I7 to itsclosed position in which flow from the inlet 11 to the outlet 12 isstopped or prevented.

A stem 19 is connected to the poppet valve 17 and has its lower portionextending exteriorly of the body 10. The valve stem 19, which isslidably disposed within the body 10, is moved by a manually operatedlever or handle 20.

The stem 19 passes through the body 10 for cooperation with thehandle'20 but not in contact with the body 10 because of a guide 21being disposed in surrounding relation to the stem 19 as it extendsexteriorly of the body 10. The guide 21 is formed of a suitable plasticmaterial such as acetal resin, for example. This material has arelatively low coefficient of friction that minimizes the slidingfriction between the stem 19 and the body 10. The guide 21 alsoeliminates wear on the stem 19 so as to not affect the sliding action ofthe stem 19.

Liquid cannot flow from the body 10 to the exterior thereof through thepassage in the body 10 for the stem 19 due to a packing 22, which isdisposed in surrounding relation to the stem 19. A gland 23 is disposedabove the packing 22 and has a spring 24 acting thereon. A retainer 25acts against the spring 24 and retains the packing 22 in a position toprevent any leakage of liquid from the body 10 through the passage forthe stem 19.

A spout adapter 26 is connected to the outlet 12 of the body 10. Thespout adapter 26, which has the spout l4 threaded in its end, is fixedto the body 10 by a screw 27. The screw 27 is preferably formed of amaterial that will break or shear when subjected to a predeterminedforce. Thus, if the spout 14 should be retained. in a vehicle tank whenthe vehicle is moved, the screw 27 breaks or shears and allows the spoutadapter 26 to bepulled from the body 10 without any damage to the Asecond poppet valve 30 is slidably mounted on the spout adapter 26 andis continuously urged into engagement with a seating ring 31, which issecured to the spout adapter 26 and has the sealing ring 29 cooperatingtherewith, by a spring 32. Thus, only the pressure of fuel flowing fromthe inlet 11 and past the valve 17 can overcome the spring 32 and movethe poppet valve 30 to an open position.

As the fuel flows between the poppet valve 30 and the seating ring 31, aventuri effect is created in radially extending passages 33 in theseating ring 31. The outer ends of the passages 33 communicate with anannular chamber 33. The passages 33 communicate through the chamber 33,a passage 34 in the body 10, an opening in a diaphragm 37, and a passage38 in a cap 39 to a chamber 40, which is formed between the diaphragm 37and the cap 39. V

Thepassage 34 also communicates with a tube 41, which is connected withan opening 42 (see FIG. 2) in the spout 14 adjacent the discharge end ofthe spout 14. The tube 41 communicates with the passage 34 through apassage 43 in the spout adapter'26 and a passage 44, which is formedbetween the spout adapter 26 and the body 10.

Accordingly, as long as the opening 42 is not closed due to the fuelwithin the tank reaching a predetermined level, which indicates that thetank is filled, the venturi effect created by the flow of the fluidbetween the seating ring 31 and the poppet valve 30 draws air throughthe tube 41. However, as soon as the opening 42 is blocked, the chamber40 has its pressure reduced due to the air therein being drawn therefrombecause ofthe venturi effect in the passages 33 whereby the diaphragm 37moves upwardly. This venturi effect is more particularly described inU.S. Pat. No. 3,085,600 to Briede.

The diaphragm 37 has a screw. 45 extending therethrough and holding acup washer 46 on the upper side of the diaphragm'37 and a washer 47,which is formed of plastic, on the bottom side thereof. The screwextends through an opening in the cup washer 46 and is threaded into thewasher 47. v U

The screw 45 also has a latch holder 48 threadedly connected thereto andengaging the lower surface of the washer 47. The latch holder 48includes a pair of oppositely disposed, inclined legs 49 and 50. Thelegs 49 and 50 have openings 51 and 52, respectively, in their lowerends to receive one end of each of links 53 and 54, respectively.

The link 53 has a pair of spaced curved fingers 55 (see FIG. 4) at itsother end for cooperation with the bottom of a head 56 of a pin 57. Theother end of the link 54 has a pair of spaced curved fingers 58, whichalso cooperate with the bottom of the head 56 of the pin 57.

The pin 57 has a longitudinal, axial passage 59 extending therethroughand in which is disposed a longi- The pin 57 has its lower end threadedinto a cooperv ating threaded recess 61 in a latch retaining pin 62. The

latch pin 62 is disposed between three balls 63, which are positionedwithin passages in a latch plunger 64. When the latch retaining pin 62is in the position shown in FIG. 1, the balls 63 prevent downwardmovement of the plunger 64, which is slidably mounted within the body10.

When the diaphragm 37 is moved upwardly due to the fuel in the tankreaching a predetermined level, the latch pin 62 is moved upwardlytherewith. This is because the latch holder 48 moves with the diaphragm37 due to its connection through the screw and carries.

the links 53 and 54 therewith. The fingers and 58 of the links 53 and54, respectively, act on the bottom of the head 56 of the pin 57 to moveit upwardly with the diaphragm 37. Since the pin 57 is connected to thelatch retaining pin 62, the latch pin 62 moves upwardly with thediaphragm 37 when the tank is filled.

The upward movement of the latch retaining pinv 62 disposes a taperedportion of the latch pin 62 between the balls 63 whereby the balls 63may move inwardly to allow the plunger 64 to be moved downwardly againstthe force of its spring 65. The correlation between the tapered portionof the latch pin 62 and the latch plunger 64 is more specifically shownin US. Pat.

No. 2,582,195 to Duerr.

The lower end of the plunger 64 is connected to a lower lever 66 of thehandle 20 by a pin 67. As more particularly described in US. Pat. No.3,653,415 to Boudot et al. wherein there is a detailed description ofthe handle 20 and its cooperation with the stem 19, the downwardmovement of the pin 67 results in the poppet valve l7 being moved to itsclosed position by the spring 18.

A spring 68, which is disposed between the cap 39 and the cup washer 46,exerts a force against the upper surface of the diaphragm 37 anddetermines, in conjunction with a spring 69, which is disposed betweenthe latch holder 48 and the head 56 of the pin 57, the partial vacuum atwhich the diaphragm 37 moves upwardly, The spring 68 must not bestronger than the spring 69. The spring 68 limits'the upward movement ofthe latch pin 62. Both of the springs 68 and 69 urge the latch pin 62 toreturn to the position shown in FIG. 1 after shut off has occurred. Thesprings 68 and 69 also keep the latch pin 62 in the position of FIG. 1if the nozzle should be turned upside down.

The Body 10 has one end of a bellows 70, which is preferably formed ofrubber, secured thereto. The other end of the bellows 70 has awedge-shaped sealing ring 71 (see FIG. 2), which is preferably formed ofrubber. The bellows 70 and the sealing ring 71 are spaced from the spout14 to form an annular passage 72 therebetween. The upper end of theannular passage 72 communicates with a vapor recovery tube 73, which issupported on the body 10, through an annular passage 74, which is formedbetween the spout adapter 26 and the body 10.

Accordingly, when the sealing ring 71 abuts the filler pipe 16 of avehicle tank, the tank is sealed so that all vapors will pass therefromthrough the annular passage 72, the annular passage 74, and the vaporrecovery tube 73. The vapor recovery tube 73 is connected by a suitablehoseto vapor recovery equipment in which the gasoline vapor is condensedso as to be supplied as gasoline again.

Withthe tank sealed by the sealing ring 71, vapor pressure can build upinside of the tank if the passage 72 or 74 or the vapor recovery tube 73should 'be blocked. Likewise, if there should be a failure in the vaporrecovery equipment so as to prevent the escape of the vapor from thevapor recovery tube 73 to the vapor recovery equipment, then thepressure in the tank also would build up.

Accordingly, any increase in the vapor pressure in the sealed tankbeyond a predetermined pressure, which is preferably one p.s.i., willcause the diaphragm 37 to move downwardly. When this occurs, the links53 and 54 pivot about an annular surface 75 of the body so that thecurved fingers 55 and 58 .of the links 53 and 54, respectively, moveupwardly as the latch holder 48 moves downwardly with the diaphragm 37.The annular surface 75 of the body functions as a fulcrum means to allowpivoting of the links 53 and 54 irrespective of where they arepositioned through 360 in the body 10.

The pivoting of the links 53 and 54 about the annular surface 75 of thebody 10 causes the latch pin 62 to be moved upwardly. Accordingly, theupward movement of the latch retaining pin 62 causes the release of thelatch plunger 64 so that the pin 67 moves downwardly whereby the poppetvalve 17 is moved to a closed position by the spring 18.

Thus, the latch pinv 62 is moved in the same direction (upward) torelease the latch plunger 64 to cause the poppet valve 17 to closeirrespective of whether the diaphragm 37 moves upwardly due to thegasoline in the tank reaching a predetermined level or the diaphragm 37moves downwardly due to the vapor pressure in the tank' exceeding thepredetermined pressure.

An advantage of this invention is that it requires only a singlediaphragm to sense either the vapor pressure in a tank exceeding apretermined pressure or the liquid in the tank reaching a predeterminedlevel.

For purposes of exemplification, a particular embodiment of theinvention has been shown and described according to the best presentunderstanding thereof. However, it will be apparent that changes andmodifications in the arrangement and construction of the parts thereofmay be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic shut-off nozzle comprising a body having an inlet and anoutlet, a valve in said body controlling flow of liquid from said inletto said outlet, manually operated means controlling the operation ofsaid valve, a spout communicating with said outlet, said spout beinginsertable into a tank through an opening therein to allow the liquid tobe dispensed therein, release means movable in one direction to releasesaid manually operated means in response to either of two conditionsexisting in the tank and acting on said manual operated means to allowclosing of said valve and stoppage of liquid flow, the conditions beingbuild-up of vapor pressure to a predetermined pressure and the liquid inthe tank reaching a predetermined level, first means communicating withthe tank and responsive to either of the conditions existing in thetank, said first means being movable in the one direction in response toone of the conditions existing in the tank and in the opposite directionin response to the other of the conditions existing in the tank, andsecond means cooperating with said first means and said release means tocause movement of said release means in the one direction irrespectiveof whether said first means moves in the one direction or the oppositedirection.

2. The nozzle according to claim 1 in which the tank being filled issealed, said first means is a diaphragm movable in the one direction inresponse to the liquid in the sealed tank reaching the predeterminedlevel and in the opposite direction in response to the vapor pressure inthe sealed tank exceeding the predetermined pressure.

3. The nozzle according to claim 2 in which said second means includesmeans connected to said diaphragm for movement therewith in eitherdirection and means supported by said connected means to move saidrelease means only in the one direction irrespective of whether saiddiaphragm moves in the one direction or the opposite direction. 1

ported means of said second means includes means pivotal in response tomovement of said connected means in the, opposite direction when saiddiaphragm moves in the opposite direction in response to the vaporpressure in the sealed tank exceeding the predetermined pressure, saidpivotal means moving said release means in the one direction andrelative to said diaphragm and said connected means when said diaphragmand said connected means move in the opposite direction.

5. The nozzle according to claim 4 in which said pivotal means includesa pair of links, each of. said links having one end supported by saidconnected means and its other end engaging said release means, and saidbody has fulcrum means intermediate the ends of each of said links tocause pivoting of said links when said diaphragm moves in the oppositedirection in response to the vapor pressure in the sealed tank exceedingthe predetermined pressure.

6. The nozzle according to claim 2 in which said second means includesmeans to transfer the movement of said diaphragm in the oppositedirection into movement of said release means in the one direction;

7. The nozzle according to claim 6 in which said transfer means includesmeans pivotal in response to movement of said diaphragm in the oppositedirection to move said release means in the one direction.

8. The nozzle according to claim I in which said second means includesmeans to transfer the movement of said first means in the oppositedirection into movement of said release means in the one direction.

9. The nozzle according to claim 8 in which said transfer means includesmeans pivotal in response to movement of said first means in theopposite direction to move said release means in the one direction.

4. The nozzle according to claim 3 in which said sup-

1. An automatic shut-off nozzle comprising a body having an inlet and anoutlet, a valve in said body controlling flow of liquid from said inletto said outlet, manually operated means controlling the operation ofsaid valve, a spout communicating with said outlet, said spout beinginsertable into a tank through an opening therein to allow the liquid tobe dispensed therein, release means movable in one direction to releasesaid manually operated means in response to either of two conditionsexisting in the tank and acting on said manual operated means to allowclosing of said valve and stoppage of liquid flow, the conditions beingbuild-up of vapor pressure to a predetermined pressure and the liquid inthe tank reaching a predetermined level, first means communicating withthe tank and responsive to either of the conditions existing in thetank, said first means being movable in the one direction in response toone of the conditions existing in the tank and in the opposite directionin response to the other of the conditions existing in the tank, andsecond means cooperating with said first means and said release means tocause movement of said release means in the one direction irrespectiveof whether said first means moves in the one direction or the oppositedirection.
 2. The nozzle according to claim 1 in which the tank beingfilled is sealed, said first means is a diaphragm movable in the onedirection in response to the liquid in the sealed tank reaching thepredetermined level and in the opposite direction in response to thevapor pressure in the sealed tank exceeding the predetermined pressure.3. The nozzle according to claim 2 in which said second means includesmeans connected to said diaphragm for movement therewith in eitherdirection and means supported by said connected means to move saidrelease means only in the one direction irrespective of whether saiddiaphragm moves in the one direction or the opposite direction.
 4. Thenozzle according to claim 3 in which said supported means of said secondmeans includes means pivotal in response to movement of said connectedmeans in the opposite direction when said diaphragm moves in theopposite direction in response to the vapor pressure in the sealed tankexceeding the predetermined pressure, said pivotal means moving saidrelease means in the one direction and relative to said diaphragm andsaid connected means when said diaphragm and said connected means movein the opposite direction.
 5. The nozzle according to claim 4 in whichsaid pivotal means includes a pair of links, each of said links havingone end supported by said connected means and its other end engagingsaid release means, and said body has fulcrum means intermediate theends of each of said links to cause pivoting of said links when saiddiaphragm moves in the opposite direction in response to the vaporpressure in the sealed tank exceeding the predetermined pressure.
 6. Thenozzle according to claim 2 in which said second means includes means totransfer the movement of said diaphragm in the opposite direction intomovement of said release means in the oNe direction.
 7. The nozzleaccording to claim 6 in which said transfer means includes means pivotalin response to movement of said diaphragm in the opposite direction tomove said release means in the one direction.
 8. The nozzle according toclaim 1 in which said second means includes means to transfer themovement of said first means in the opposite direction into movement ofsaid release means in the one direction.
 9. The nozzle according toclaim 8 in which said transfer means includes means pivotal in responseto movement of said first means in the opposite direction to move saidrelease means in the one direction.